Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little Quirks Release Stellar Single Ahead of New EP

Central Coast family band Little Quirks have just released their latest pop-folk charmer, “Life Wouldn’t Be.” The song will have you tapping your toe in time to the music and marvelling at the harmonies from sisters Abbey and Mia Toole and their cousin Jaymi Toole. This crowd-pleaser is the first track lifted from Little Quirks’ forthcoming EP Cover My Eyes, and it has me excited about what is to come.

Little Quirks are packing up the tour bus and hitting the East Coast this October and November to celebrate the EP’s release. This marks the first time the teens will headline shows in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, so get out show your support. Catch them at the following coastal venues later this year.

5 October 2019 – Dashville Festival, Lower Belford
11 October 2019 – OAF Gallery Bar, Sydney
12 October 2019 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
2 November 2019 – The Espy, Melbourne
3 November 2019 – Lost Lands Festival, Werribee

Image used with permission from Ditto Music; photo credit: Al Parkinson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Three Oh Three” – Oly Sherman

Oly Sherman captured my heart with the release of his single “Bones” in May. Now with the release of his debut EP Three Oh Three, I’ve fallen even harder for the music of this Sydney-based singer-songwriter. Take a listen and I’m sure you will too.

It might not be love at first note though, but some of the best relationships take time to develop. “Reykjavik” is an interesting choice for an opening track. It’s a beautiful, atmospheric instrumental, but it doesn’t have the melodic hooks to really draw the listener in. Persevere with this release though, because Three Oh Three really kicks in with the next track, “Noir (No Love Any More),” a gorgeous melancholy piece of pop rock that wears its heart on its sleeve.

Oly isn’t an artist who’s afraid to bear his soul. There’s such longing in “House on the Hill,” which only amplifies with every plaintive expression of the song’s title. “Pain-Free Melody” captures the loss and defiance that so often comes with a break-up so beautifully. I love its jazzy feel. It might just be my favourite on this EP.

After so much sadness, “Bones,” is such sweet relief, an upbeat optimistic pop-rock number that sweeps you up and takes you to a much more positive place. Title track “Three Oh Three” continues the good vibes, ensuring we finish with a smile on our faces. These two final songs really feel like companion pieces, the kind of tracks you’d turn up on the stereo if you were setting out on a road trip and leaving the real world behind for a while.

Oly will play a string of shows around his hometown to celebrate Three Oh Three’s release. Sydneysiders, check him out at one of the following events.

6 September 2019 – The Lansdowne, Sydney (Supporting Slum Sociable)
7 September 2019 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney (Supporting Liquid Time)
12 September 2019 – Lord Gladstone, Sydney
27 September 2019 – Coogee Bay, Coogee
5 October 2019 – Yulli’s Brews, Alexandria
16 October 2019 – Lazybones, Sydney
26 October 2019 – Low 302, Sydney
6 November 2019 – Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Long Way From Hill Street” – Mercury Sun

Mercury Sun burst onto the music scene in 2013. After releasing a pair of celebrated EPs, the Brisbane indie rock act are finally ready to drop their first full-length album, Long Way From Hill Street, and after giving it a listen I know fans will think it’s worth the wait. This is a good honest rock record that wears its heart on its sleeve. All the right ingredients are here, from powerful vocals to hooky guitar riffs.

The title gives you an inkling what you are in for. This is such a nostalgic album, both lyrically and sonically. It’s no coincidence the band opens the album with “Come of Age,” a song which addresses the transition from angsty teen to adult in control. There are similar themes of looking back and moving forward on the next track, “Just Like Hollywood.” The line “Day by day my youth is growing old on me” really resonates. In “Stumbling,” Mercury Sun looks at revisiting a relationship, in the next track “All My Friends” the band recalls their visions for the future through the lens of youth.

Most songs from Long Way From Hill Street don’t just cover similar thematic ground. They have a similar anthemic rock quality feel to them. Perhaps a more critical listener might call them samey, but I think Mercury Sun has simply found its voice. It does make the gentle closer, aptly titled “Hill Street,” seem a little place, even if looks back fondly on the past like so many of this album’s tracks do. However, this song also hints at a band that might just have a little more range than this album suggests.

For now though, I’m pretty happy to relive my youth and rock out with this one. Brisbane locals can do it in person when Mercury Sun launch Long Way From Hill Street at Tomcat on its release date, September 6. The band will also play Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers on September 21.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win a Recording Session at Sing Sing East Studio

Every musician knows recording time is expensive. So what if you didn’t have to pay to lay your latest tunes down? Box Hill Institute and Sing Sing East Studio are giving you the opportunity to enjoy free studio time with their latest competition.

Sing Sing East is a world-class studio which has hosted musical royalty. Just imagine recording in the same space as Paul Kelly, Nick Cave and the Badseeds, INXS, Missy Higgins, Temper Trap, Crowded House, Powderfinger, Lady Gaga, and Kiss, to name but a few! If you’re one of the lucky winners, you’ll get a two-day recording package in the studio, including the use of an engineer to make your tunes sound their best. The package is worth $2,400, so it’s nothing to sneeze at!

Visit the Box Hill Institute’s website or Facebook page to submit your entry by 11:59 pm on September 19 and you could be a winner. There’ll then be a People’s Vote, based on the highest number of YouTube views, and a Judges’ Award, selected by a panel of industry experts. Winners will be announced on Monday October 21.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Essie Holt Releases Brand New Bop, “Last One”

Melbourne songstress Essie Holt has unveiling her sparkling new indie-pop single “Last One.” The personal track will win you over with its powerful lyrics and danceable melody. While it’s got a great upbeat pop feel, Essie says the writing process was her way of exorcising demons about a difficult time in her life.

“’Last One’ was written recently about a pretty dark place I got myself into a couple of years ago,” she explained. “I was partying hard and living this fantasy life. I couldn’t see that I was sacrificing a lot of people who were close to me. It’s about realising who is important. The writing process was really organic. We sat down at the piano in the studio and the song came out quite fast. It’s taken me a while to find a place where I feel like I’m being genuine and real in my writing, and these new songs are completely me. They’re bold and quirky and take the approach of what feels good, not necessarily what’s technically correct.”

Essie is set to wow crowds at some summer festivals before the end of the year. Catch her at Newcastle’s This That on November 9 or Perth’s Ice Cream Factory Festival on December 28.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

BOI Releases Empowering New Track, “Sick of Loving You”

Newcastle artist BOI speaks for all those women scorned with her new girl power anthem “Sick of Loving You.” This super-catchy track is the perfect song to blast when you’re ready to move on from a relationship that’s just not right.

BOI knows a thing or two about moving on and taking charge. Growing up she was told to act more like a girl. Her moniker is her effort to reclaim those insults and embrace her identity.

BOI has appeared at Splendour in the Grass, featured on an LDRU track, and worked with heavy-hitters like Alex Lahey, The Chainsmokers, and Godlands. If she keeps producing music that’s this irresistible, no doubt we’ll be seeing a lot more of her.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Asha Jefferies Shows New Grown-Up Sound With “Bad Kisser”

“Bad Kisser” is a coming-of-age charmer from Brisbane’s own Asha Jefferies. It’s what I imagine a good teen movie might sound like, a John Hughes flick set to music if you will. There’s angst and pain, but also an optimism that this will get better.

“I wrote it about an extremely euphoric and tragic moment involving a festival; lust, longing, intoxication & one ultra-big insult,” Asha reflected. “It takes a bit of growing up to realise not every interaction you have with a stranger you like and meet will be romantic.”
The introspective track is a bit of a new sound from Asha, but one that shows incredible growth from her debut EP.

“After the satisfaction of releasing my first debut EP and first headline tour, I took an enduring time and effort away to re-discover myself – grow up as a person, not just developing as an artist,” she explained. “I’ve created a new sound and direction, in ode to the many things I did experience in the months I had off and in the movement of growing up.”

Get to know the new and improved Asha when she plays shows in the East Coast capitals in the coming months.
21 September 2019 – Low 302, Sydney
28 September 2019 – Brisbane Festival @ Riverstage, Brisbane (supporting City & Colour)
4 October 2019 – Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
26 October 2019 – The Foundry, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bec Sandridge Strikes Gold Again With “Stranger”

As if the release of her last stellar single “Eyes Wide Shut” wasn’t enough to convince you to buy tickets for her upcoming shows, Wollongong’s own Bec Sandridge has sweetened the deal with a brand new banger, “Stranger.”

It’s got such an approachable pop sound, but some really deep themes bubbling just beneath the surface. It asks the big questions about whether we can ever really know someone, and even if we can ever really know ourselves.

“’Stranger’ is the proudest I’ve been of any song to date. It’s the most honest I’ve been with myself and others,” Bec said. “At the time I was struggling with image dysmorphia and unable to manage the anxiety that came along with that. I was lucky enough to marry the track with the visuals of diva/director/drag king Tanzer which helped me make sense of a lot of things. I felt it was the first time someone has been able to capture who I am holistically – the ugly, the unhinged, the raucous. I was forced to be comfortable in vulnerability – having a leaf blower on my face certainly helped!”

I really feel like Bec is making some of the best music of her career right now, so I can’t wait to hear her debut album Try + Save Me, which gets released on October 4. Remember, Bec is playing shows all over the country in October. Catch her at the following venues.

4 October 2019 – The Foundry, Brisbane
5 October 2019 – The Northern, Byron Bay (FREE ENTRY)
12 October 2019 – Hobart Brewing Company, Hobart
18 October 2019 – Cats @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
19 October 2019 – Howler, Melbourne
25 October 2019 – Lansdowne, Sydney
26 October 2019 – UC Hub, Canberra
8 November 2019 – UniBar, Wollongong

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

River Lane Impresses With “Ghost of a Girl”

River Lane has come a long way since becoming the first busker in the history of Mannum, in regional South Australia. A former tradie and competitive water skier, River has just released her new single “Ghost of a Girl.”

It’s a gorgeous song that’s already earned airplay on Double J and Triple J. I love the haunting tone of River’s voice and the subtle dramatic world she creates. It’s one of those songs that makes you stop for a moment and just soak it all in.

“’Ghost of a Girl’ to me is about growing up and leaving my innocence behind,” River explained. “It’s about accepting who I am now and the decisions I have made whether right or wrong but never forgetting where I’ve come from.”

“Ghost of a Girl” comes from River’s forthcoming sophomore EP.

Image used with permission from The Right Profile

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Telescreen Release New Indie-Pop Banger, “Growing Pains”

Start your week right with “Growing Pains,” an indie pop pleaser from Melbourne band Telescreen. The track reminds us of the importance of letting life take its course.

“Sometimes you can find yourself in this kind of neutral zone where you’re letting life direct you where to go. You feel like you’re having no influence on the next phase of your existence, like you’re mindlessly living day to day,” explained Telescreen front man Nic. “’Growing Pains expresses how it’s okay to take a hands-off approach and allow things to come to you – you can’t always be reaching out for the next big step.”

“Growing Pains” comes from Telescreen’s forthcoming debut EP, which drops on September 26. Victorians can hear tracks from this EP first at the following shows. Hopefully it won’t be too long before they announce some shows outside their home state.

28 August 2019 – The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood (with ZUMA)
13 September 2019 – Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne (with Chela)

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company